Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 183: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the parts of the foreshore for which his Department is responsible for leasing and licensing arrangements; if there are plans to change this with the move of certain foreshore responsibilities from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23978/08]

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the parts of the foreshore he is responsible for in relation to licensing and leasing arrangements; the responsibilities regarding foreshore being transferred from his Department to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government; when this transfer is scheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23980/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 188 together.

The Government decided on 2 October 2007 that responsibility for foreshore licensing functions under the Foreshore Act 1933 in respect of port companies and harbour authorities governed by the Harbours Acts 1946, 1996 and 2000 and any other harbour or harbour related developments intended for commercial trade, and for all energy developments (including oil, gas, wave, wind and tidal energy) and aggregate and mineral extraction developments on the foreshore would transfer to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

My Department will carry forward responsibility for all other foreshore licensing functions under the Foreshore Act 1933, including in respect of all aquaculture developments and piers and harbours, other than in respect of port companies and harbour authorities governed by the Harbours Acts 1946, 1996 and 2000 and any other harbour or harbour related developments intended for commercial trade.

My Department is currently putting in place the necessary arrangements to ensure the efficient and effective transfer of the appropriate legislation and associated functions. In conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, every effort is being made to expedite this process.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Department is required to take steps regarding the giving of foreshore licences and leases; and if he will ensure that the procedures are in keeping with the European Union Public Participation Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23979/08]

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to update the Foreshore Acts; what the planned changes to the legislation are intended to achieve; if these changes will address Ireland's need to comply with the European Union Public Participation Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23981/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 189 together.

The Government decided on 2 October 2007 that responsibility for foreshore licensing functions under the Foreshore Act 1933 in respect of port companies and harbour authorities governed by the Harbours Acts 1946, 1996 and 2000 and any other harbour or harbour related developments intended for commercial trade, and for all energy developments (including oil, gas, wave, wind and tidal energy) and aggregate and mineral extraction developments on the foreshore would transfer to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

My Department is currently putting in place the necessary arrangements to ensure the efficient and effective transfer of the appropriate legislation and associated functions. In the interim, all foreshore functions under the Foreshore Acts 1933 to 2005 rest with my Department.

My Department will carry forward responsibility for all other foreshore licensing functions under the Foreshore Act 1933, including in respect of all aquaculture developments and piers and harbours, other than in respect of port companies and harbour authorities governed by the Harbours Acts 1946, 1996 and 2000 and any other harbour or harbour related developments intended for commercial trade.

The Statement of Strategy 2005-2007 of the former Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources indicated that procedures would be developed for enhanced coordination and cooperation between the wide range of public bodies responsible for management of the coastal zone. This was in response to the increasing demands and pressures on coastal areas and their resources.

A consolidation and streamlining of the Foreshore Acts has also been proposed. This is intended to provide a modern, effective and integrated legal framework for the management of the State's foreshore estate in the future. Preparation of these proposals will to take account, among other things, of the EU Public Participation Directive, the principles in the EU Recommendation on Integrated Coastal Zone Management, the outcome of the EU Maritime Green Paper and the EU Marine Strategy Directive.

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will clearly assume a critical role in these proposals. My Department will continue to work closely with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the context of progressing the various elements required to develop the appropriate coastal zone legislative framework.